Marianne Overton

New Website

2011-04-06T22:11:00.001Z

This blog is now connected to www.independentvoice.org.uk attached to my personal page. More is now there.

Marianne is honoured

2011-02-05T10:44:00.007Z

Marianne Overton : Citation from the University of Lincoln, Jan 2011

Marianne has long been a prominent figure in the political, educational and community life of Lincolnshire. Raised in East and South Africa, educated there and in London, she graduated in Zoology from Kings College, and spent some years teaching before marrying and moving to Lincolnshire.

Since then, she has devoted herself to public service, in local politics, in health and in education. A long-standing independent representative in regional politics, she sits on North Kesteven District Council and on Lincolnshire County Council. She was instrumental in the establishment of Lincolnshire First, the regional group of independent politicians, and is Leader of the independents on the County Council. She stood for parliament and received strong support.

Marianne is a Trustee of Relate Lincolnshire, the relationship people, a former regional Chair of the Society of Biology, and is active in many local and community organisations.

Marianne is a Non-executive Director of NHS Lincolnshire and continues to devote her time to a range of environmental and community causes.

These include persuading the Council to retain local respite homes for the recovering sick, campaigning for library and heritage services, and taking forward the debate on the Nocton Dairy scheme, a local controversy which has gained national standing for its significance in the future of large-scale factory farming in the UK.

In all her public service, Marianne has never forgotten her roots as a zoologist and teacher. She is passionately engaged with conservation issues, and in her role as Director of Biosearch, she brings together this passion with her commitment to education and young people.

Biosearch Expeditions organises expeditions for people to remote third world regions to do field research in conservation management. Only this last Christmas, she spent her time at a wildlife park in Malawi, leading a group of young people in helping the staff and scientists there with the identification of rare species and recording game populations.

She joined the Board of governors of the University at a very challenging period of their history. She brought her own distinctive style and approach, being never afraid to question, to delve deeper into issues, and to explore all options. Her contribution to securing the present success of the University as a Governor was very special. She stood down from the Board in 2009, having become leader of the official opposition group on the County Council, and has been much missed. In the light of her real and lasting contribution to the wider education of young people of Lincolnshire and to the development of the University, and in anticipation of what she will continue to do for the people of this region into the future, the University of Lincoln conferred on Marianne Overton the award of Fellowship of the University Honoraria causa.

JANUARY NEWS 2011

2011-02-05T08:47:00.004Z

“WHAT DOES MY COUNCILLOR DO FOR ME?”

News from your local, Independent Councillor,

Best wishes for a happy, healthy and successful New Year

Your opinion wanted

Nocton Dairy

Respond to the new application for 3770 cows by January 11^th. Google “North Kesteven planning on line”, accept the conditions and type in Nocton Heath or 10/1397/FUL. According to the consultant, the number of cows is reduced in this first application, pending sufficient land to spread the waste.

Budget

Both NKDC and LCC have proposed budgets on the web. Now is the time to comment and get changes made before final budgets are agreed in February.

A hot issue for us is the state of the roads following winter damage. Last year the Conservatives cut this budget drastically and planned to cut it again this year, despite big objections from me and the other Independents. We have made some progress in this new budget, but it needs supporting through to the final budget. Respond on line before Jan 26^th, lincolnshire.gov.uk/budget and copy me in so I can support you better. See my separate press release for more issues.

Big Success: Bonner House and Harrison House reprieved

Last year all eight Council-run homes providing intermediate and respite care were planned to close. I visited our local homes and was amazed at the high quality of care and excellent work being done in getting people well again and able to return home. “We need more of this, not less,” I said. Independents ran a campaign, even making a video to bring the voices of the residents directly into the corridors of power. This kind of care is more expensive for a few weeks, but it gets people out of hospital, better and in their own home, so it is extremely cost-effective. That is why we introduced it in the first place. The Council has now agreed and given our local homes a reprieve. The number of these short-term beds is now set to increase, saving on long-term care. Now we can work to make them still more efficient.

Congratulations

Sarah Moody (aged 16) from Branston joined our expedition this Christmas to live and work in the wild in Central Africa., to help conservation. Sarah plans to be a vet and also got the chance to work in the Wildlife Sanctuary and shadow the vets there. Apart from my own son, Sarah is the youngest team member on these expeditions. Also in the team was Lauren Smith, a student from the University of Lincoln. Also we took letters from children in Navenby and Martin and set up exchanges with a school in Malawi and a charity to assist, called Malo.

We worked closely with the Malawian scientists and park staff helping with the anti-poaching patrols, recording game populations and identifying rare species to show that the Park is worth protecting. This international recognition brings further resources. Our long-term commitment is rewarded with increasing game populations. This year we actually saw and captured rare species for the first time. Pictures: www.biosearch.org.uk

Information

2011-02-05T08:47:00.003Z

Relate Opens New Shop: Re-latte

Relate Lincolnshire, where I am a long-standing Trustee, is delighted to announce that 137 High Street has become a Relate coffee shop and dress/suit agency, next to the new Relate Centre. You can browse at your leisure, have a social cuppa and consider your purchases! You can also take replaced items or unwanted Christmas presents and get something back on them! You get half the takings, unless just donated.

Mobile Libraries

Use them or lose them. Thanks for your response to this comment in a previous newsletter, and to Elspeth o Rourke, saving the service at Coleby. The mobile library comes to the village hall every fourth Friday at 12.15 for half an hour. Why not link it to a lunch club at the Thorold Arms?

Litter picker wanted at Coleby

Ring Elspeth on 01522 810173

Report excessive litter on 01529 414155

Report dangerous potholes on 01522 782070

Thanks

Thanks to all the many good neighbours, the “snow team” and staff involved in tackling the extreme weather conditions. Despite being “lean teams”, environmental, health, care and highways staff pulled out all the stops to keep services running as far as humanly possible. Thank you.

January diary dates

2011-02-05T08:47:00.001Z

January diary dates

12^th U3A Wellingore 10am

15^th West Kesteven Wildlife Watch at Belton House 10am

19^th Marianne to receive an Honorary Fellowship from the University of Lincoln 10.30am

28^th Independent’ Event, Sleaford 6-8pm

29^th Burns Night, Coleby 7.30pm

Wishing you all a Happy and Successful New year

Best wishes to you all,

Marianne Overton

http://councillors.lincolnshire.gov.uk/cllrmoverton

www.independentvoice.org.uk www.facebook.com http:/councillors.lincolnshire.gov.uk/cllrm.overton

Does this make you smile?

2011-02-05T08:46:00.002Z

A young man named John received a parrot as a gift. The parrot had a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every word out of the bird's mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity. John tried and tried to change the bird's attitude by consistently saying only polite words, playing soft music and anything else he could think of to 'clean up' the bird's vocabulary

Finally, John was fed up and he yelled at the parrot. The parrot yelled back. John shook the parrot and the parrot got angrier and even more rude. John, in desperation, threw up his hand, grabbed the bird and put him in the freezer. For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and screamed. Then suddenly there was total quiet. Not a peep was heard for over a minute.

Fearing that he'd hurt the parrot, John quickly opened the door to the freezer. The parrot calmly stepped out onto John's outstretched arms and
said "I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions. I'm sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions and I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and unforgivable behaviour."

John was stunned at the change in the bird's attitude. As he was about to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behaviour, the bird spoke-up, very softly, "Might I ask what the turkey did?"

DECEMBER NEWS 2010

2011-02-05T08:45:00.000Z

“WHAT DOES MY COUNCILLOR DO FOR ME?

News from your local, Independent Councillor,

Information

LCC Snow Helpline 01522 782189

Ring if you know of any vulnerable adults who may need help. They will alert Age Concern or the British Red Cross for a volunteer to help with collecting medications, transport, heating, clearing snow and bringing food. The lifeline support has also been busy, checking people are OK. Tenant reps and Parish Councils also keep a list of people who might need help, but good neighbours are always welcome!

111 for urgent medical advice.

999 for Emergencies

BBC Radio Lincolnshire and web is informative

If your bins are not emptied; 01529 414155 or

NKDC Snow News at www.n-kesteven.gov.uk

Grit/Salting public paths

The Parish Councils have received an official letter explaining that people will not be prosecuted for adding grit, salt or clearing the snow off the public paths. The public grit boxes are needed for the public paths and cannot be used for private paths or it will not be there when it is needed. The number of grit boxes is restricted because of the difficulty getting round to fill them at busy times.

01522 782070 to report empty grit bins

Transport

A big thank you to Christine Kent who has agreed to help the Cliff Villages Voluntary Car Scheme. Journeys to medical facilities are subsidised. Leave a message for co-ordinator Edward Hennell on 01522 723365 or for Navenby ring Margaret Lyon. 01522 811132. Volunteer drivers are wanted in January.

Dial-a-ride 0845 456 4474 Drivers do help.

Call Connect callconnect@lincolnshire.gov.uk 0845 2343344 Concessionary fares apply and people with disabilities can get help.

Stagecoach ring 0845 605 0 605 or website.

Brylaine 01754 899088

Traveline information 0871 200 22 33

December Heroes The Lincoln Orpheus Male Voice Choir held a fantastic event for Help the Heroes at Harmston Church, following on at the Thorold Arms. Congratulations to a great team and thanks to David Steel for co-ordinating and to Alan Humphries for his Solos. New members are encouraged. Ring Tony on 01529 410072

Thanks to Val Rampton for standing in for Alan Megahay for 3 months whilst he was on Sabbatical in Zimbabwe. Welcome back to Alan and Elizabeth.

A huge thank you to Bill and Marion Goodhand who have served the village with tireless dedication for many years. They will continue but now retire from Welbourn Parish Council and from the Parish magazine.

Sheltered Housing: Congratulations!

This year inspectors awarded NKDC an A grade for all its sheltered housing services. Thanks to our team of wardens, tenant reps and the Lifeline Service and to residents for their support.

Giving Local support

2011-02-05T08:44:00.002Z

A607

Thank you for your kind support on the improvements now in place. It is better, though of course, we would have liked the whole road redone. It should further improve after the top dressing next year completes the job.

NK Seniors' (over 50’s)

I attended the last event “Soup and Surprise” along with about thirty others. It was a good do. More members are welcome, either to attend or to keep in touch as a reference group to speak up for seniors. Contact Liz Peto on 01529 460757 lizpeto231@btinternet.com

Wellingore and District U3A

Like our sister organisations in Branston and Harmston, we continue to thrive. Monthly meetings are on the second Wednesday of each month at 10am in the Wellingore Memorial Hall. In addition, a host of interest groups include gardening, pub lunches, walks, history, theatre visits and a new antiques group just starting up. New members are welcome or you can come as a guest to see.

West Kesteven Wildlife Watch and RSPB Explorers continues to grow. Congratulations to Jake Beatty on becoming an assistant leader. We had around 25 people to the November monthly event, a fungal foray in Twyford Woods, led by our entertaining expert, Jane Ostler. The next event is the Christmas party in Welbourn Village Hall 10am on Saturday 11^th December for quiz, crafts and fun. Welcome all 8-13 year olds, and younger children, if accompanied. A calendar is available listing exciting, mainly local, events next year, including a big Wild Art Day, a visit to see the puffins at Bempton Cliffs and walk on the fossil rocks at Filey.

Trees

The Woodland Trust is inviting people to photograph "My View" with suggestions where adding trees would make an improvement. Demand for the LCC free trees scheme fell as people seemed to run out of places to put them. However, there are ideas and support on the web. www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/myview

Tuesday Lunchtime

Join the over 60’s Lunch club at the Joiners’ Arms 12pm Tuesdays, only £5 for 2 courses.

Your opinion wanted

Nocton Dairy

The new application has gone in and is being validated. Once accepted by NKDC as complete, it will be on the web for you to read and respond. Google “North Kesteven planning on line”, accept the conditions and type in Nocton Heath.

Spending cuts

The reduction in management has now been decided, painful but necessary.

The adult social care service is being reorganised. There is a clear move away from LCC providing the service, but buying in some services instead. Giving personal budgets means they buy from anywhere.

I have spoken up against the closures, which are a false economy when greater costs are created if people don’t have proper care. These services are now being commissioned. I also spoke up against dropping the Alzheimer’s sitting service to enable carer’s to have a break, as there is no alternative in place. Carer’s are creating an accreditation scheme to provide confidence in private sitters in future, which will help. There may be room for small businesses and the voluntary sector to step in. These will be ever more important as the public sector reduces.

The government has not yet announced how much each council will receive, only that the overall total will be 30% less over four years, especially in the first year. The tax is effectively capped as there is a 2% grant if the Council sets a nil increase. (Parish and Town Councils can still set their own budget.) There is likely to be a “core offer” of services from LCC and some services dropped. The budget is planned to go to the Executive in January and full Council on February 11^th. We will know more in January.

December diary dates

2011-02-05T08:44:00.001Z

3^rd 6-8pm Navenby Antiques event, more next month

Switching on of the Christmas lights

4^th 40’s night at the Branston Waggon from 9pm

4^th Branston Christmas Fayre at the school

5^th Miracle on 34^th St, Harmston Hall, tickets at the pub

8^th U3A Wellingore Rosemary King on “Dead Sea Scrolls”

11^th Branston Christmas Street Fair at Branston Waggon

11^th 10am-noon Wildlife Watch Children’s Christmas Party Welbourn Village Hall Contact 01636 626176

11^th 3-5pm Children’s party Harmston Memorial Hall, book with Jo 01522 270018

11^th Christmas choir concert, Temple Bruer 7.30pm

11^th/12^th Robin Hood Panto at Wellingore 2pm and 7pm 01522 800 763

13^th Carol singing for Lives Navenby 6pm at the PO

21^st Carol singing in Coleby 6.30pm

And the churches have wonderful events for Christmas

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Successful New year

Best wishes to you all,

Marianne Overton

http://councillors.lincolnshire.gov.uk/cllrmoverton

www.independentvoice.org.uk www.facebook.com

Above: Welbourn, Cliff edge, Dunston

Below: Branston, Leadenham, Nocton, Navenby

More pictures on www.hilltopfarmholidays.co.uk

Over the holiday, please use my work e-mail cllrm.overton@lincolnshire.gov.uk or contact my PA, Gemma Hawkes 01522 552066

NOVEMBER NEWS 2010

2011-02-05T08:42:00.002Z

“WHAT DOES MY COUNCILLOR DO FOR ME?”

News from your local, Independent Councillor,

Giving Local support

Branston Play Area

Branston held an excellent event to celebrate the opening of the new play area. LCC contributed £15,000 to the £56,000 total. Congratulations to all involved. (I regret I had almighty toothache and had to spend the morning of the opening in the dentist’s chair!)

NK Seniors' AGM 9th November at Metheringham Scout Hut at 7pm, for Over 50's. People can join on the night, thus able to vote in the Committee. We can promise an informative and entertaining evening, with refreshments. It's all free, although there will be a Raffle and a glass of wine for a voluntary contribution.

NHS Lincolnshire

As a director of NHS Lincolnshire, I was really pleased to see us win the prestigious award at the 2010 Health and Social Care awards. Thanks to you for your contributions.

This piece of work saw the future of Louth Hospital secured, thanks to a strong partnership between NHS Lincolnshire, GPs from East Lindsey and Lincolnshire Community Health Services. Well done all.

Local Government Award

A number of Independent Councillors from Lincolnshire attended a really stimulating Annual Conference in Westminster last month to hear from national politicians at first hand. I was personally honoured with a national citation for “energy and drive” as an Independent Councillor. I also attended the workshop for leading councillors with some top economists looking at different ways to reduce the deficit.

Siemens to move

Siemens gas turbine service facilities are moving to Teal Park, off the bypass in North Hykeham. 540 staff will move from Firth Road, Olympic House and the Ruston Works site.

Rural Gain Grant

Lincolnshire County Council is providing 50% capital grants of £250-£10,000 to improve rural services, either businesses or community led.

Alison Marshall or Chantelle Grundy on 01522 782070.

Help the Heroes & SSAFA Forces help

Local author, Claire Kinton has written a new book, “Dead Game” to raise funds and is signing and selling it at RAF Cranwell on Thurs 4^th Nov, or you can order this book, which was shortlisted in the Brit Writer Awards on www.clairekinton.com.

Local PCSO’s are now on Facebook

www.facebook.com

November cont...

2011-02-05T08:42:00.001Z

Your opinion wanted

Core Strategy Issues Consultation

This covers plans for how many houses we want and where? How much industry? Comment on the draft plan before 6^th Dec

www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/ldf

For further information contact Luke Fleming 01529 308233 or email luke_fleming@n-kesteven.gov.uk and copy to me.

Governors

Navenby Primary School held a presentation for Mr Young, retiring from the governors after 17 years. He has led some big changes in the school and in the village, such as the successful campaign for the pedestrian crossing. This and other nearby schools are seeking new good, local LEA governors. Would anybody be able to spare some time to help? Please let me know if you would like to hear more. It is a great way to contribute to our communities.

Sustainable Village

Our meeting about “What makes Navenby tick?” went well, with a full house of representatives from across the village organisations. There was enormous support for our village community activities and businesses. We were also able to add evidence of need for the Community Centre to gain further support. Report available.

Information

A607

Roadworks have continued this month but next Sunday should be the last closure for Navenby. They have tried hard to do the work with minimal disruption. I did get called out on Sunday morning and put a sign up at Boothby Graffoe to make it clear that Navenby business was open as usual.

Lincoln Bypass

Government funding delays will force back the start date of building work on Lincoln's £130 million eastern bypass, despite councillors unanimously approving the plans. It was hoped that construction work on the long-delayed 5 mile dual carriageway would begin in 2013. http://tinyurl.com/3yl3wg5

Spending cuts

All local government is expecting a 28-30% cut in grant over the next four years, starting with 2% in year and 7% next. Independents have been calling for management reductions and the first round is out for consultation. As the public sector diminishes, it becomes more important than ever to support local businesses and any voluntary activities.

Future Events

Richard Wilson of Navenby is inviting us all to the Eastgate Centre in Sleaford for their grand Christmas Open Day and fair at 105 East Road, Sleaford on Friday December 3^rd 10.30am-2.30pm. Welcome!

The Branston Christmas Fayre in the village hall is on Sat Dec 4^th.

November diary dates

2011-02-05T08:41:00.001Z

November diary dates

7^th 8am Volunteers’ Birding Breakfast at Hilltop Farm, Welbourn

9^th The Chequers, Potterhanworth Quiz for Help the Heroes 8.30pm.

10^th U3A Air Ambulance Wellingore M’ Hall 10am

10^th 6pm Relate Lincolnshire AGM, at Charlotte House, Lincoln. Excellent speaker, all welcome.

13^th 2-4pm Table Top and Book Sale Welbourn

13^th Marie T band at the Branston Waggon

13^th 7.30pm Lincoln Orpheus Male Voice Choir and afterwards at the Thorold Arms Harmston £5

14^th 10.20am Armistice remembrance services, at Sleaford, Lincoln Cathedral and locally.

16^th Nocton Dairy Information Event at The Chequers in Potterhanworth To be confirmed.

17^th Soup, soup, soup at St Peter’s Church Navenby noon-2pm £3.50, incl. sweet.

19^th “Fiddles and Feet” musical fun 7.30pm £7.50 Harmston 01522 722462

20^th Christmas Fayre Harmston 10am, Navenby 2pm

21^st 10am Family Fungal Foray with expert Jane Ostler, Twyford Wood nr. Colsterworth followed by pub lunch. WKWW, RSPB Explorers and the Society of Biology. Contact Marianne. All welcome.

26^th 6-8pm Marianne’s Supper club,

27^th 12-4pm Potterhanworth Christmas Street Market

2-4pm Navenby Methodist Christmas bazaar

Business News

Have a great night out!

· Macy’s Brasserie in Navenby High Street do Jazz nights and meal £34.95. Next event is on Wed 3^rd Nov. 01522 811830

· Jolly Posh are running special Christmas shopping nights out for groups of ten or more. Combine it with a special meal at Macy’s, or at the Kings’ Head £14.50. www.jollyposh.co.uk

· The George in Leadenham run live country music every Friday.01400 272091

The Branston Waggon are calling for people who want stalls at their Christmas Fayre 11^th Dec. 01522 791356 Google for a great website!

Branston Potatoes won the regional award and got shortlisted in the national award for their environmentally friendly buildings.

New s/c short stay barn is available on the cliff edge, Welbourn for visitors or business. 01400 2733223 www.hilltopfarmholidays.org.uk

Register to vote

You can check about registering to vote on 01529 414155 Make sure your voice is heard!

Hope to see you soon,

Best wishes to you all,

Marianne Overton

http://councillors.lincolnshire.gov.uk/cllrmoverton

www.independentvoice.org.uk

Halloween Event for the Navenby Community Centre

2011-02-05T08:40:00.000Z

Halloween Event for the Navenby Community Centre

“The things we do for the community!” My judging the pumpkins was the easy job! A big thank you to everyone involved.

Improving the road surface in Navenby High Street at last – almost finished: A huge thanks to everyone for their support and co-operation.

Bishop John Saxbee receiving our presentation in thanks for his work, chairing the “Lincolnshire Assembly” which brought different organisations to focus on improving Lincolnshire together.

OCTOBER NEWS 2010

2011-02-05T08:39:00.000Z

News from your local, Independent Councillor,

Giving Local support

Coleby Play Area

Well done all involved in this brilliant new play area, which I helped to open this week. Star of the show was our own Kirsty Moore, ex Coleby School Pupil and the first woman Red Arrows pilot - what an inspiration!

Congratulations to Nocton and Dunston

Nocton had a great village fete which included a produce show and scarecrow competition where they gave me a tough time judging!

Lives

The new Cliff Villages LIVES continue to gather excellent volunteers and more funds to save lives. Thanks for your support of the coffee morning which raised £363.

Coleby Ball

This was, as always a brilliant event raising substantial funds for the village.

Relate & LCC

Relate are “the relationship people”, with over 70 years experience. Relate Lincolnshire, where I am a Trustee, won a bid for £¼m from national government in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) to help families regain their lives.

This contributed to LCC winning the highest score in the country for the service of safeguarding children. Working on the committee improving the service prior to assessment and on the panel being assessed, I was impressed with the contribution made by young people themselves when we gave them a “front seat”

Relate was also shortlisted in National Awards for its pioneering work on “Relate for Parents” and won the prestigious Charity Times Award for the Best Use of Technology and shortlisted for best use of the web, important in our rural areas. www.relate.org.uk Tel 01522 524 922

Bus services

More than 150 people signed the petition which I presented to Dave Skepper, Operations Manager for Stagecoach and made our case clearly. I looked at the detailed timings of the number one bus which, like all routes, does have a few minutes contingency built in. I asked for these to be spent travelling to Leadenham and back. The bus companies can suffer a huge fine if they do not meet their target for timeliness, which is why all of the routes have a few minutes contingency, especially if they involve getting in and out of Lincoln.

We need bus priority lanes from Lincoln, coming in early next year. This should create more time on the route so that the half-hour service to Welbourn and Leadenham could be restored. There have been no objections to the bus priority routes, and Stagecoach has agreed to review our service when they are in place.

It now seems likely that the Bus Service Operator’s Grant will be removed by government, further threatening some of our bus services locally.

Information

Road repairs on the A607

The road repairs of the worst parts are working their way southwards along the A607 to Wellingore. These are the improvements we fought for. Thanks for your support.

Road Safety

The road safety presentation “Too Fast, Too Soon” for young people is powerful and well worth seeing. It is coming to Sleaford Schools on Oct 4^th & 5^th. This is highly recommended for all young and not-so-young drivers or soon-to-become-drivers.

I put a motion to support road safety to full Council and it will be now considered by councillors. I also moved that we write to national government to ask that cuts will only be made to local government at a rate that still protects front-line services. If you can ignore the politics, see the full County Council Meeting on www.lincolnshire.public-i.tv/site/player/pl_compact.php?a=44930&t=0&m=wm&l=en_GB

October 2010 cont....

2011-02-05T08:37:00.001Z

Anti social behaviour

Just a reminder to report all incidents, as this is used by the authorities in calculating where the resources should go. Also the police rely on information ('intelligence') being forwarded to them. The bit of information which you may think isn’t important, could just be the last piece in the jigsaw that solves a crime. 0300 111 0300

Sustainable Village

Navenby has been selected for a study to establish what makes it tick so successfully and look at ways to draw in more resources.

Register to vote

You can check about registering to vote on 01529 414155 Make sure your voice is heard!

Nocton dairy

Below a link to the information from the visit to Withgill Farm in August: A few photos are on my facebook. www.facebook.com www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/committees then choose “planning”, and “26 Aug” One of three landowners, Patrick Dean Ltd have withdrawn from the application. The East Midlands Business grants are also suffering government cuts, which could affect the dairy.

Rural and Small business Rate Relief

Rural rate relief of 50% or more is available for single businesses providing an important village service. Registered charities get 80-100% off. From October 1^st, Small business rate relief (up to 100%) is for businesses with a rateable value of below £12K or £18K on two properties. Apply to the Business Rates Team on 01529 414155 or 01522 699699 Business Rates = Rateable value x 0.407 (small businesses)

October Events from the Diary

3^rd Dunston McMillan event 10.30am-3.30pm
4^th Coleby Harvest Festival 4.30pm
6^th Funding information fair 1-6pm Washingborough
7^th Branston Harvest Festival 2pm
7^th Leadenham The George, Music event 8.15pm
9^th Coffee morning 10am-12 Branston Church Hall
11^th /13^th Democracy Week events, Sleaford & Branston
12^th What makes Navenby tick? 7-9pm
13^th U3A Wellingore 10am Barbara Varlow
15^th Harvest Supper Navenby M’ 7pm 01522 810373
15^th Welbourn Primary School Quiz 7pm
16^th, 23 & 27th Navenby Coffee Mornings 10.30am
17^th Spires & Steeples Challenge 8.30am Lincoln (26m) or 9.30am from Metheringham (13m) to Sleaford
23^rd Bats Wildlife Watch at Welbourn Vill. Hall 10am
27^th Songs, cheese & wine Wellingore Church 7.30pm
29^th Halloween Family Friday Harmston 6.30pm
30^th Pumpkin Event Navenby Vill. Hall 4.30pm-6.30pm
30^th St John Cadet Hike Dunston

Hope to see you soon,

Best wishes to you all,

Marianne Overton

http://councillors.lincolnshire.gov.uk/cllrmoverton

www.independentvoice.org.uk

SEPTEMBER NEWS 2010

2011-02-05T08:36:00.000Z

Coleby Play Park

Congratulations to Cathy Ainsworth, Karen Appleton, Julie Martin and to many supporters of the Coleby Play Area, who have worked steadily over a long time. The park will be installed by September 17^th and the launch is on Friday 24^th Sept 3-30pm. All welcome.

Branston play area

Well done to all involved in planning, funding and fund-raising for the new play area, now in place. I wrote in support and LCC contributed £15,000 of the £56k needed. This is an important investment in our young people.

Sue Lord

Congratulations to Sue Lord for outstanding services to Mrs Smith’s Cottage. Below: Presentation at our recent AGM.

NKDC at 99.3%

This year NK residents are the best Council Tax payers in the country and our rates are among the lowest. NKDC collected 99% of that due, taking a fair and diligent approach

Leadenham Music Festival

Tom Lane and helpers organised a fantastic three day music festival at The George, in Leadenham. Top musicians came from all over the country to play country and western, rock and jazz. Hundreds of people flocked in for all or part of the event, hosted by Michael & Karin Willgoose.

Harmstock

Congratulations to hosts, Julie and Alison on another brilliant annual 2-day event over the bank holiday weekend at the Thorold Arms in Harmston, raising funds for the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance. Their website has events or ring 01522 720358.

Cycling for LIVES

Stuart Suddaby, of LIVES, cycled 200 miles in 2 days to raise funds for LIVES, arriving back at Harmston in high winds at around 8pm for the finale of Harmstock. Fantastic effort. If you would like to add sponsorship or a donation to LIVES in the Cliff Villages, it is very easy. Google “Just giving Navenby” and select the first option. It works well. www.justgiving.be/NavenbyFirstResponderGroup

Welbourn 10K and Fun Run

Well done to everyone who took part and to the organisers, Chris Smith and Dave Raynes who did a brilliant job. 186 people entered and about £800 raised for Help for Heroes and the smart new Welbourn Village Hall. Hospitality followed at the Joiner’s

Sue Lord

Congratulations to Sue Lord for outstanding services to Mrs Smith’s Cottage. Below: Presentation at our recent AGM.

August Newsletter

2010-08-14T09:17:00.000Z

Congratulations
…To Branston Library

Author Sue Allan portrayed tudor lady, Rose Locke (above centre) of Gainsborough Hall when she came to speak at Branston Library this month. Transformed out of costume (below), she is pictured here with our excellent librarians Cathy and Judith and local residents Marianne and June. To get Sue’s series of facinating historical novels and others, pop in to Branston library. To get Sue’s series of fascinating historical novels and others, you
can order by phone 01522 782010 and pop in to Branston Library, Mon, Wed or Fri 10am-7pm and Saturday until 1pm. to join the library, you can just turn up, easy.

…To all at the Eastgate Centre, Sleaford

Navenby resident, Richard Wilson (centre) had a very good day selling the centre’s own produce and garden furniture, during their Open Day.

Navenby Archaeology Group
The group closed the final dig after successfully completing the 3 year project in Navenby. Finds have been hugely significant, as Navenby was clearly an important village in Roman times. The group is now assessing volunteer and financial resources, ready for the next phase. www.navenbyarchgp.org

Local Government Services
The plan is to cut public expenditure by 25% over four years. Reductions in year are expected to be around 2% and removal of sections of funding are announced weekly.

Education has had £8m withdrawn which sadly reduces monies available to Navenby Community Centre. The grants for new affordable housing have mainly been withdrawn. Private sector companies with council contracts will also need to shrink.

Anything we can do to improve local resilience is important. Supporting local businesses and voluntary groups is vital.

Councils are creating “Local economic partnerships” including a number of County Council areas and businesses. These will be led by business and will run some services.

Free swimming ceases on July 31st. If you have registered, there are concessions to encourage you to continue.
There is also a lot about “Localism”, meaning less ring-fencing of the reduced funds and local people taking more charge, hopefully without creating duplication. There are also a number of changes coming to planning.

Concessionary Bus Fares
Concessionary fares are under discussion. These are critical to maintaining our rural bus services. There is a new website which is written by and for grandparents. They have a mission of "having the time of our lives" and have a petition up on concessionary fares. I have added a comment. www.virtualgranny.com

Health
GP’s, who are to take over the commissioning, already make most decisions in prescribing and referring their patients to hospitals, but currently more “clout” and purchasing power is with the Primary Care Trust who negotiate for performance and price. Smaller groups of GP’s may find this aspect tougher.

Nocton Dairy

2010-08-14T09:12:00.000Z

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Thanks to those who have sent me comments which I have read and forwarded to the planning department and the NKDC Chief Executive as appropriate.

The Question and answer consultation on August 6th and 7th was done by the applicants of their own choice. This is not part of the District Council’s formal consultations, which will happen once the application is in. Some people were disappointed to miss the two applicant events as the notice was very late and three venues were separately published making it hard to find. Some also said they would have preferred a normal meeting where they could hear better, which is a useful lesson too.

The District Council have been consulting on what aspects the applicant should cover in their environmental report. This is now completed and a "scoping opinion" was issued on August 5th. The applicant can now submit a new application and it will be up to the councillors on the whole planning committee to see if it is acceptable or not.

To see the scoping opinion on the web, google “planning on line North Kesteven”, accept the conditions and type in 10/0831/EIASCO. To see the comments to the previous application, the reference is 09/1040/FUL. These will not be forwarded because the new application will be different. The Council will notify any previous objectors/supporters when the new application comes in.

Once the new application is submitted, then people can place comments in response on line, using the same process. As before, if I want to be involved in the planning decision, then I cannot state a view in advance of the meeting. I await to see the application. We do want agricultural development, but the environmental impacts will obviously be a key planning issue.

In the meantime, the normal e-mail for planning matters is planning@n-kesteven.gov.uk. If it is OK with you, I will add you to my monthly e-mail newsletter. It keeps you informed and makes it easy for you to respond using the "reply" button.

I hope that is helpful. Do keep in touch.

Eight Homes go out to tender

2010-08-14T09:08:00.002Z

Care homes
The eight homes, mainly for short term stay provide a service that gets people better and home, thus saving money on long term care. The Conservative Executive agreed a business plan for the service to go out to tender. The Independents, together with others, called in the business plan and presented the case for keeping the homes and commissioning in a more cost-effective way. All the Conservatives voted together to put the service out to tender and everyone else voted against it. Closing the homes is false economy as the homes reduce and prevent long term care.

County Council Care Homes

2010-06-22T21:03:00.003Z

The council owns 16 homes, 8 of which are contracted out to the St Johns Trust.
The eight in hand provide day care, respite care and intermediate care. There are nine residents from the days when the homes were long-term residential homes.

The Council in consulting on their future. The response has been overwhelmingly in favour of keeping the facilities which are clearly doing an excellent job, keeping people out of hospital and getting them better so they can go home and turn the key in their own front door.

Thanks everyone for responding to the official consultations, signing the petition, writing letters and being on the video which brought your voices directly to the corridors of power. Every part helps. I attended submitted the petition. The strategy and commissioning principles were agreed by the Conservative Executive on Tuesday, so battle continues to keep the excellent service in the County homes which gets people successfully back on their feet and home. They also provide respite and day care to enable carers to carry on caring so people can stay in their own homes for longer. Alternatives proposed are more expensive and don’t provide the same specialist service.

At Lincolnshire County Council, I joined a working group of councillors who looked at the detailed proposals and responses.

The next day, the Conservative executive went ahead and agreed their strategy, which laid out how they were going to choose where people should go in future. This was opposed by the Independents and the Labour Group. We “called in” the decision, which means it is stopped and has to be reconsidered in a public meeting, where I led the debate and we made the case clearly. There is a party whip system that operates, so all the Conservatives voted for the strategy, and everyone else spoke and voted against it. (Vote 8:3)

At Full Council the next day, Liz Peto, Chair of the Older Person’s Forum for NK presented the petition with 500 signatures and gave a good speech to “save Bonner House”. The Unison petition was also presented in support with several thousand signatures.

What next?
In July, there will be a further decision by the Executive to look at the business case for closing the homes.

I have called for the whole cost to the public purse to be counted, not just the LCC portion. More expensive alternatives that simply charge to another department and do not provide the same level of rehabilitation will not be good enough. Just passing the cost from one public body to another will gain no favours from the public.

Borrowing more to build smart new places would be nice, but are they affordable? Who is going to pay for them, when people’s savings run out? In any case, they do not replace the specialist short-term provision that gets people better. It works. Let’s keep it.

Buses, Call Connect and Dial-a-ride

2010-06-22T20:53:00.002Z

From June 1st, the Lincoln-Grantham route has gone from half hourly to hourly on the Welbourn to Grantham half of the route. I met with Stagecoach directors who have agreed to review Welbourn’s position, as it was the centre of the run. The whole route was due to be halved, but LCC has stepped in with a £30K subsidy, so please use the buses as much as you can! As a rule of thumb, the buses cross at Welbourn at 20 to the hour. They leave Grantham on the hour and leave Lincoln at 5 past the hour.

The Dunston-Metheringham bridge is due to be closed between June 8th and Aug 23rd. It needs strengthening and the walls are to be made strong enough to prevent a car going over onto the track. We have only just been informed that the buses cannot come into Dunston and keep to timetable. Len Bannister and I took in the petition with maps and times of travel off the internet to make the case, as it does mean that many are cut off from essential facilities. We have just succeeded in getting the school bus restored. Stagecoach have now agreed to run one service per day and Brylaine have stepped in with two. Thanks to everyone who added their voice in support.

Call Connect to Metheringham (LCC Service)
Ring and book a bus. Buses run 7am-7pm Mon-Sat. People with disabilities can get picked up from their house. It is free whilst the bridge is closed and after that, concessionary fares are valid. Book at least 1 hour before you wish to travel and not more than 7 days in advance. 0845 234 3344 Ring Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm, Sat to 4pm. Text “CallConnect” to 82727

Dial-a-ride 0845 456 4474
Dial-a-ride can be booked well in advance, will collect from your home, and takes wheelchairs. The fares are subsidised but concessionary passes are not valid.

Learning Science through Theatre day

2010-06-22T20:47:00.005Z

On behalf of the Society of Biology, I organised a day for fifty children from local schools to enjoy finding out about the history of medicine. They produced a play of music, drama, art dance, performed in the Terry o Toole Theatre.

Congratulations to the Lincoln Larder

2010-06-22T20:46:00.000Z

LCC Chairman’s Community award went to the Lincoln Larder for their successful work in providing emergency support to people suddenly finding themselves in difficult circumstances.

Young citizen of the year was James Brown of Carlton Le Moorland. The Independent’s proposal for a County young person’s award for voluntary work was passed unanimously by full council.

Useful Information

2010-06-22T20:45:00.002Z

Energy Advice
To find out whether you are eligible for discounted or free insulation, telephone the Energy Saving Trust on 0800 512 012.

Useful Contacts you can use
• For Highways repairs 01522 782070
• For Roadside clean-up 01529 414155
• To view applications and make comments www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/planningonline accept conditions and type in post code.

National Govt News is on:-
The new coalition agreement
http://www.lga.gov.uk/lga/aio/11333336
Local government has offered to save £4.5bn, partly by sharing services and partly by taking on the work of the Quangos for less money
http://www.lga.gov.uk/lga/core/page.do?pageId=11333361
Queens speech http://www.egovmonitor.com/node/36703

Great photos of the Iceland volcano on
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/04/more_from_eyjafjallajokull.html

New Strategy to improve people’s finances is released at NK
Average wage in NK is £23,187, less than the average for England. New figures put 16% of people in Branston and Mere in the 20% most deprived and 12% of the Cliff Villages in the bottom 40%. Since 2004, 45% are now more deprived compared to the national average. Good support for our grant applications!

Flooding control and emergency plans

2010-06-22T20:43:00.000Z

Flooding control & Emergency Plans
The Framework means Lincolnshire County Council will be the lead local flood authority and work with the District Councils, Internal Drainage Boards and others in putting an effective plan in place for local flood risk management. Welbourn Parish Council is developing its own useful plan of contacts and actions in an emergency plan. Welbourn was also only one of two councils in the District who have received additional funding for much-needed anti-flooding measures.

Thank you

2010-06-22T20:38:00.001Z

Election News
Thank you for your huge support over the elections, where you gave me just under 4000 votes, in the top 3% of Independents in the country. Winning as MP turned out to be a tall order, with the media focus on the national party leadership contest. All of the Lincolnshire Independents ran excellent campaigns, genuinely engaging and responding on all kinds of issues, and making the point about the value of good, local representation.

With four Independents standing in Lincolnshire as MP for the fist time in 60 years, we changed the face of political thinking in Lincolnshire, brought some common sense to the issues and laid the groundwork for local Independents in future. Congratulations to everyone who decided to make a stand and support us. We all have something of which we can be justly proud.

The Conservatives took around 50% of the vote, as in previous years. I shall of course, be pleased to work with the new man to do our best for the people of Lincolnshire.

2010-06-22T20:30:00.002Z

Election comments

2010-06-22T20:27:00.002Z

Dear Marianne,

Well done! I think you ran a really good campaign and certainly ruffled a few complacent feathers. You must be exhausted and I hope that Peter takes you on a well deserved holiday now.

Don't normally divulge our ballot crosses, but we did vote for you on this occasion.

K
___________+++___________

It was always going to be difficult going up against the might of the major parties who have a wealth of support and substantial budget behind them. However, we enjoyed helping out and if you stand again we'll be there to assist.

P and D
___________+++___________

Hi Marianne, I’m just gutted that people could not see the benefits in voting for you, but we will continue to support you at all levels and build a momentum for the next time.

Kind regards

P
___________+++___________

Hi Marianne
I do hope Peter's driving on friday - you deserve to celebrate! Of course he does too - he was a hero - but somebody has to drive!
I'll do my utmost to be there - we have lessons to learn for next time. Like moving out of Lincolnshire?!! I'm beginning to think it's no place for a social conscience.
Best wishes
L
___________+++___________

Hi Marianne, What can I say? You should have won. Well done for a great attempt. The tide will turn.

So sorry that you did'nt get to be the MP you are certainly the only one for the position as far as I'm concerned.
You're work and character will win the day Marianne, you so deserve to be in Westminster leading the way.

All this uncertainty will hopefully make the country think differently next time. Well things are a changing, but nature will take its course, inch by inch its a sinch.

Congratulations for the fantastic campaign you ran. You are great. Lots of people look to you for the way to go.

Take care, Kindest regards Helen. Sorry I shall be in Italy for your party. I'll drink you a toast looking out over the blue sea.
H

___________+++___________

Dear Marianne,

Thank you for the update. Congratulations to you and Peter and indeed your whole team. I thought that this was going to be a turning point in England's politics and British democracy - and perhaps in a sense it was. Mao Tse-tung and others spoke of the first step on any journey.

Your 3,805 votes; your saved deposit; the democratic stir that you created; the defeat of UKIP; the defeat of the BNP and coming 8th out of 315 Independents, strike me as one hell of a first step!

I think that this country's political systems will certainly change for the better eventually, [but that may well be a long journey], and you have contributed, and made your mark on that.

Congratulations to you, your helpers, your 3,805 constituency voters and your many other supporters.

Kind regards,

R
___________+++___________

Dear Marianne,
Congratulations on your remarkable achievement re the election and I am so pleased that people like yourself are prepared to stand despite the tremendous odds. The Green Party M.P. achieved success in the end which is inspirational for minority parties and Independents. We hope that you have a very jolly time after all the hard work of the preceding weeks.
We will be with you in spirit!
Kind regards.
Y
___________+++___________
Dear Marianne

Well done on your splendid fight in the election, so proud of you for standing up for all of us Independents. Time to rest for a bit perhaps. Was too exhausted to make it to Sleaford but was definitely thinking of all of you.

Love, S
___________+++___________
Hi Marianne,
Congratulations on your valiant attempt to enter ‘the house of corruption’. You did really well and can only get stronger.
I will buy you a drink the next time I see you.
Best Wishes,
G
___________+++___________

Dear Marianne,
It was a pleasure to make a contribution towards your campaign.
The overall results for independent thinkers were most encouraging throughout the country and a triumph for you personally.
Mighty oaks from acorns ........
I am sure that support for you will grow as this new parliament tries to sort out its policies and alliances and be an effective government.
with my best wishes
A
___________+++___________

Dear Marianne
Congratulations on your good result in the election (R and I both voted for you). Sorry you didn’t quite make it to Westminster.
Keep up the good work.
Best wishes

P
___________+++___________

Re: Election
Oh Marianne I was soooooooooooooo disappointed for you.....you had both the votes from my house....PLEASE keep up the good work it is so refreshing to have a local person that actually cares about local issues.

Wishing you all the very best

H
___________+++___________

Good Morning,

Commiserations over the result but at least 3000 people have faith in you. Given the mess and wreck to come, you may be well out of it!

Thanks for the support for the …. Let's hope we get somewhere!

M
___________+++___________

Considering that the media (nationally and locally) just concentrated on the 3 main parties, you did very well. Yo have also made a case to support Lincolnshire and making farming an important issue. I was in Old Leake and Wrangle representing Sleaford on Sunday and this came out strongly.

Regards

J
___________+++___________

Tough luck Marianne in the election, I thought you might have had a decent chance this year, never mind you will have more time for Lincolnshire!

Regards
N

___________+++___________

Good Morning, Marianne
We would like to congratulate you on achieving the number of votes last Thursday and feel that it is an excellent beginning for Lincolnshire Independents. There is the strong likelihood of another General Election sooner rather than later and we are sure that the LibDem's support will evaporate and hopefully migrate to the LincsInds. We hope so anyway.
We were hugely disappointed that Peter Lundgren was just pipped at the post by a measily 107 votes in the NKDC local election, a loss we think to Branston as a whole. Better luck next time there is a vacancy.
Keep fighting!
Best regards
P & A

___________+++___________
Dear Marianne,

Under the circumstances I think you did extremely well - certainly much
better than Esther! - and should be proud of what you achieved. Alas,
the big party squeeze was too much even for Richard Taylor in
Kidderminster. But the overall result, quite by chance, seems to me to
be reasonably democratic.

Have a great and well-deserved party. Alas, I shall be in France
visiting grand-children.

All best,

Martin Bell
___________+++___________

Questions and Answers.........

2010-04-26T06:55:00.003Z

Part 1. http://www.independentvoice.co.uk/Marianne_overton_questions.html

and

Part 2. http://www.independentvoice.co.uk/Marianne_overton_questions_part_2.html

New Leaflet

http://www.independentvoice.co.uk/members/m_overton/Mariannes_leaflet.pdf

and

http://www.independentvoice.co.uk/members/m_overton/Mariannes_leaflet_2.pdf

APRIL NEWS 2010

2010-04-05T16:16:00.001Z

Welbourn Village Hall reopened with razmataz on Saturday after a £1/3m makeover. We had a small core team who worked their socks off, but huge support from the Parish Council and the whole community. It has built-in facilities for talks, an IT suite and both halls open out onto patios. Booking open now.

Launch of new U3A
A huge crowd arrived at the launch of the new U3A in Wellingore last week. Rosemary King and Ruth Broughton gave an encouraging speech, fifty new members signed up and a core committee was established.

The inaugural meeting for all will be in Wellingore Memorial Hall on Friday 7th May at 2pm. New members welcome.

Welbourn Primary School
In his last week, headteacher Stephen Horsely unveiled a fantastic mosaic based on the historical and wildlife interest of the village. Children completed it after school with the help of parent and governor experts.

Invitation
Branston Business Network: Chris Mountain is giving us a guided “behind the scenes” tour of Caythorpe Recycling Centre on Tuesday April 13th 3-4.30pm. Limited places on this fascinating visit, so please drop me a note.

Your opinion wanted...

2010-04-05T16:15:00.001Z

Nocton Dairies

Last date for comments on the amended plans is April 9th. The application is expected to go to committee on April 27th 5pm at NKDC offices in Sleaford.
www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/planningonline
Click to agree to the conditions, type in the code 09/1040/FUL.

Branston Methodist Ladies’ Fellowship

People came from far and wide for a wonderful celebration of 70 years of Methodist Ladies’ fellowship. Great singing from the Lincoln Ladies Choir, good company and good food!

Lincoln 10K

Sarah Moody from Branston is raising funds to do conservation work with me in Africa later this year. Our little team managed to get round the 10K in 81minutes and raised over £1000. Next event is on Friday 9th Branston.

David Attenborough pointed out how important is some knowledge of biology to decisions by our MP’s and in our everyday lives. He also talked about the value of allowing children hands-on experience to inspire an interest in the natural world, as he had done as a child: Sounds like he thinks I am on the right track!

Easter Activities

2010-04-05T16:14:00.001Z

Cliff Villages visit to PGL 6/7th April Free, sponsored by the cluster of Parish Councils. Limited numbers. Book now with Greg Trippet. 01522 870252

West Kesteven Wildlife Watch This is the junior part of the Wildlife Trusts and the RSPB. There is a group in Branston and I help run this local group. The new calendar of activities for people aged 8-13 is out and youngsters are welcome. Come on Sunday April 25th at Ancaster for a walk in a wild, wet meadow. Ring or e-mail for a calendar.

Go For It! Mon12 - Thurs15 for those aged 11–19 at the North Kesteven Sports Centre 2-5pm and North Hykeham Youth Centre 5-8pm. Book katrina.thurlow@lincolnshire.gov.uk 01522 680034

Two Free Energy Advice Surgeries

2010-04-05T16:13:00.001Z

Friday. April 30, in the Memorial Hall, Newark Road, North Hykeham, 10am - 6pm.
Saturday. May 1st The Source, Southgate, Sleaford, 9am - 5pm.

Two Useful Numbers you can use
• For Highways repairs
01522 782070
• For roadside clean-up
01529 414155
www.visitlincolnshire.com

Like to join in the Big Tidy Britain Campaign on St George’s Day,
April 23rd?

Let me know

Events from the April Diary

1st 12.15pm Potterhanworth School Opening of the new extension

1st Washingborough children’s centre to open

8th 7.30pm at The Chequers, Potterhanworth
information evening on the dairies, need to book with Marianne or Julie Parry as the function room will take 70 maximum.

9th Waggon & Horses Branston Chilli and Potatoe, Quiz and Auction £5 Ticket draw
to raise funds for young carer Sarah Moody

13th 3pm Visit to Caythorpe Recycling Centre

23rd St George’s Day Tidy Britain campaign
and Special events in Sleaford Market 10am -3pm Friday and Saturday

25th 10am West Kesteven Wildlife Watch and RSPB Explorers on Orchids and meadows at Moor Closes Reserve, Ancaster

26th 7pm Branston Parish Meeting at Branston Hall Hotel

27th 5pm Nocton Dairy Planning to be heard at NKDC, Sleaford NG34 7EF

28th 1.20pm Branston Community College Question time

See you soon! Very best wishes for a healthy and happy Springtime!

2010-03-27T20:29:00.000Z

March 2010 - Report from your local, Independent Councillor,

2010-03-22T22:09:00.002Z

Sad News
Sadly, District Councillor Marjorie Duncan died recently. Her dedication and cheery support of her communities will be much missed. Condolences to her husband, Derek and family

Good News: Congratulations to…
Hilary Proctor, Sandy Dunford and their team for organising another superb night out at Leadenham watching a top class performance.

To the Kid’s Club and parents, especially Chris Stevenson and Iwan Jenkins for an excellent student exchange with Moletai in Lithuania. Over half term, we hosted the return visit of ten students and 2 teachers on a fantastic programme of activities, wonderfully managed by LCC youth workers. Brilliant, well done all.

Lives: Cliff Villages
In April our fifth LIVES volunteer is qualified and operational. Volunteers are properly trained and equipped to respond in emergency call-outs, often attending before the ambulance. When time is so vital, LIVES volunteers are really important in our rural areas and really do save lives. Anyone who would like to volunteer, please get in touch.

Your opinion wanted
Who has gone above and beyond?
You can celebrate our community by nominating an adult or young person for a community service award from the District Council or the County Council. NKDC deadline is March 8 and for LCC March 16th. Forms are on the web.

Thanks

2010-03-22T22:09:00.001Z

Eight County Homes
Thanks very much for all your correspondence and support. There has been a big response. We successfully made a video bringing the residents’ views directly into the corridors of power. The official consultation has closed, but write to me and I will put your points to good use. Alternative suggestions include a private buyer to take over and alternative land for accommodation. The decision has now been delayed to April or May. You can see some clips about the issue on www.channellincolnshire.co.uk

Additional Needs
Thank you for your support. Many parents and headteachers were deeply concerned about plans to move the support funding for children to central funds of some schools, not connected with the needs of the individual children. The Independents did halt the decision by calling it in and I explained the case. This enabled a rethink which has brought some improvements. For one thing, the schools will not lose out this year whilst better funding arrangements are more carefully considered.

Budgets
Lincolnshire County Council’s prudent 2.5% per cent council tax rise has been given the go-ahead. The £441m for 2020/11 includes some efficiency savings and we were able to support most of it, having been involved in its development. Based on your responses to our questionnaire, Independents proposed not cutting a highways budget by 30% over three years, keeping the eight Council homes and reducing spend on PR by 20%. We may not win on the day, but we have sewn the seeds and expect improvements.

The Conservative proposal does include among the highest borrowings in the country, and there was much discussion about a £5.5 million rise in funding for the chief executive’s office under the heading “consultants fees”.

North Kesteven budget going to Council on March 4th includes a 1.7% tax increase to cover losses in income and some increased demands.

Information
Crime Prevention
The Neighbourhood policing teams will do crime prevention surveys for you. Beware about “free” offers from other sources.
www.lincolnshire-neighbourhoodwatch.co.uk

Lincolnshire Tourism
New website for Lincolnshire Tourism starts on March 8th www.visitlincolnshire.com

Two Useful Numbers you can use
For Highways repairs 01522 782070
For roadside clean-up 01529 414155

Events from the March Diary

4th NK School 2-4pm Political question time
6th 11am Archbishop of Cant in Lincoln lecture
6th 7pm Welbourn Roving supper
7th Wellingore Scouts Hut collecting jumble 10am- noon
11th 10-11am Marianne’s surgery in Navenby Village Office. Bring issues for fixing.
12th 7-9pm Cliff Village Voluntary car scheme gathering at Marianne’s house
13th Schools Biology poster competition
13th/14th Heritage Weekend free entry most places, including Mrs Smith’s Cottage 10am.
13th/14th Harmston WI Art Exhibition, Sat 2-5pm & Sun
11am-4pm.
17th St Peter’s Coffee morning, Catwalk, Navenby 10.30
17th Irish night at the Joiner’s Arms, Welbourn
20th WI Soup and Cheese £5 Wellingore M’ Hall
24th Build a rocket at Harmston Memorial Hall 6.30pm
£5 01522 722462
26th Talk by Marianne on Malawi at Martin School
26th U3A launch Wellingore Memorial Hall 2pm
27th Navenby coffee morning Methodist Hall 10.30am
27th Opening of Welbourn Village Hall!!!

A spring in your step

STOP PRESS
Congratulations to Molly Brien and Bethany Alford of Branston Community College for their fantastic achievement getting into the finals out of 750 schools in the debating competition at Cambridge. Proud teacher Caroline Hewerdine took them to the event, which they said was “fabulous”. Well done.

Feb 2010 Good News: Congratulations to…

2010-03-22T22:07:00.000Z

Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne came to open the new hospital that NHS Lincolnshire, on which I am a non-executive Director, has built at Spalding. The chairman introduced me, and HRH said how busy I must be and how did I fit all that in? I said that coming from her, that was very funny!

Police Community Support Officers
A huge thank you for your support in this campaign. We have been successful. LCC has agreed to fund the whole amount of £1.5m for three years. The District Councils are free to separately add further support for particular community safety projects. The new funding brings all PCSOs (about 157 in Lincolnshire) under the same contract, working closely with councillors and the local communities to improve community safety in a wide range of ways. Well done all!

Your opinion wanted

Filming at Bonner House

Harrison House & Bonner House to close?
Eight homes owned by the County council are proposed for closure. Channel Lincolnshire and the Independents have been making a video to enable the voices of the residents to be properly heard. There is room for private providers, but not everyone can afford them and more will be needed in future. There seems little point in closing what is clearly working well to get people back on their feet and home. Add your voice to the consultation by 16th February 01522 782155. www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/shapingcare

Additional Needs
County Council proposals for children in need levels band 1-5 out of 8 are to be encouraged to attend mainstream schools and for the funding to no longer be attached to the child’s needs, but instead given to the schools in disadvantaged areas who are overall poorer performers. I seek improvements because if the needs of these vulnerable children are not met, then the longer term costs may be huge.

Harmston Quarry has applied to extend their three planning permissions from 2012 to 2034. Respond by 25th February to me or to http://eplanning.lincolnshire.gov.uk/eplanning loadfulldetails.do?aplld=27996 Ref. 252/09.

Feedback
Budget
Thank you very much indeed for the excellent feedback you gave which is informing my Council budget negotiations. The overarching responses are attached, but most clear was the desire to do away with some of the PR machine, using internet if necessary. Also popular was efficiencies in internet procurement and charging for fast planning. Reducing staff was popular, but definitely not the PCSOs. Whilst people felt a small tax increase was probably inevitable, there was no stomach for any large increases. Reduced main street lighting got a mixed reaction, as did reducing the capital programme.

Information....

2010-03-22T22:03:00.000Z

Friday 26th February 2010 is National Wear Red Day and your chance to help the British Heart Foundation fight heart disease.
Order your free fundraising kit today at bhf.org.uk/red or call us on 0845 241 0976.

Grants
Grants of £400 are available for ‘scrapping your old boiler’! http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Home-improvements-and-products/Heating-and-hot-water/Boiler-Scrappage-Scheme

Free Training for the voluntary sector
For a full programme, ring 01522 551683
abimbola@volunteercentrelincoln.org.uk
www.volunteercentrelincoln.org.uk

Extreme NK
There are places on 8 weeks activities for 9-17yr olds who don’t get many opportunities and young carers. Ring Greg 01522 870252
The Cliff Villages is planning to provide more activity days again this year, starting with children who didn’t go last time.
Half term activities are running at Carre’s 01529 306888 and at NKesteven Centre 01522 883311

Child care Job
Debbie and Neil are looking for a caring, reliable and enthusiastic person to work with their four year-old autistic son to help him communicate and make sense of the world.

Douglas will be starting Applied Behavioural Therapy in November. Experience would be great but not essential as full training will be given. This is a rewarding and unique opportunity, especially those with an interest in child development. 8-10 hours a week available, good rates of pay and lovely working environment in Harmston. Contact 01522 723133

Jobs for long-term unemployed, 18- 24yrs
NKDC has commissioned Hill Holt Wood to deliver the Future Jobs Fund scheme which will create 40 jobs for young people in the District.

The jobs that will be created will last for six-month periods and include a number of outdoor focused roles, such as driving, gardening, forestry, administration and eco-construction. Apply through the Job Centre Plus 01522 346000. www.totaljobs.com/Lincoln www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

Voluntary car scheme for Cliff Villages
This is up and running. Ring 01522 723365. A small but important service for people who cannot use the bus for the journey they need. Medical needs are subsidised by the Parish Councils.

Parking Control
The government passed the responsibility to local councils who are discussing how to organise it.

Events from the Diary

5th Pantomime in Leadenham Village Hall 7.30pm
6th Feb Bring and buy Book Sale for Mrs Smith’s Cottage at the Navenby Methodist Church Hall
7th Feb “Shoo, shoo baby, the entire history of Cabaret.“ Book on 01400 272835 hilary@leadenhampc.co.uk
12th St Chad’s concert Chris Garrick & John Etheridge 7.30pm
15th-19th Lithuanians exchange visit to the Cliff Villages
16th Soup and Pancake lunch Navenby Methodist Church 11.30am
26th Meeting of all Independents from all over the
East Midlands meeting at Lincoln Cathedral.

Very best wishes for a healthy, happy and successful 2010!

Jan 2010 Congratulations to.....

2010-03-22T21:59:00.002Z

Good News: Congratulations to…

Richard Wilson from Navenby opened Swallowbeck, a new million pound Day and respite centre with 7 beds for people with learning difficulties.

Raised beds in the lovely new garden are an opportunity for sponsorship

Branston launched the improved village hall, sponsored by County, District and Parish Councils and the community, with the Lincoln Brass Band. Well done all!

Equality and Diversity tops in NK
NKDC is the second local authority in England to achieve a high benchmark for the way it includes and values all aspects of equality and diversity.

“One Place” Scores
On the overall score of performance, now called CAA “One Place”, NKDC scored 3 out of 4, “performing well”, one of the best in the East Midlands. Good report is on http://tinyurl.com/yj2ka68 LCC improved in all categories, even adult social care at last and also scored 3 out of 4, “performing well” overall. Same website, worth a look.

Your opinion wanted
Budget
As our government is so short of funds, there is likely to be a severe reduction in funds of both District and County Councils of 13-20%. Schools take half the budget, and as they are protected, then the reductions of £80-100m over 3-4 years, must come from the £600m remainder at LCC. I have sent a list of ideas to help me gauge your opinions and better represent your views. We may even have an emergency budget after the elections, so it is as well to be prepared.

Help set NKDC Priorities
www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/priorities

Sale of 8 Homes
Some County Councillors want to sell the homes to access the capital funds to build something better, though I am concerned it might not be affordable for most. I visited Harrison House in Grantham and Bonner House in Sleaford. There is one resident of 16 years, other occupants are on respite or NHS care from hospital. The homes were clean, welcoming and all the occupants had nothing but praise. The lack of en suite loos didn’t seem to be a big issue. They were pleased to be consulted. Let me know what you think. Consultation event below.

Other News

2010-03-22T21:58:00.001Z

Free IT Training for voluntary workers
Sleaford (Community Lincs) 13 Jan 10
Ring Matt Hopkins on 01790 72000
mathewh@vael.org.uk

Joint planning the future
A new Central Lincolnshire Joint Planning Committee has been created to deal with forward planning for West Lindsey, North Kesteven and Lincoln. The new Conservative Chairman was in trouble with a planning application and has resigned.

LCC Community Grants
New forms appearing on the web soon. The deadline for applications is March 1st 2010.
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/communitygrants.

Welbourn Village Hall
The improvements are progressing well, due to finish in early March, so we are open for bookings. Navenby Village Hall fund-raising begins in earnest now the plans are agreed.

Housing
I have tackled the Council on lack of consultation on new Council housing in Wellingore and asked for compromise. Half the money is from District Council coffers and half from external funds.

Events from the Diary
7th Outing to Billy Elliot in London
8th 6-8pm Consultation at the New Life Centre on
Mareham La, Sleaford, opp. the care home.
Sleaford Std http://tinyurl.com/ygglmp5
9th/30th 10.30 Navenby Methodist Coffee morning
13th 10.30-12.30 Navenby coffee morning for
St Peter’s at 79 High St
16th 10am Surgery in Branston Library
16th Biosearch lunch at Hilltop, Welbourn
23rd Coleby Burns night
29/30 7.30pm Pantomime at Leadenham Vill. Ha.
2.30pm on Sat and the following w/e

Very best wishes for a healthy, happy and successful New Year!

Kind Regards,

Marianne Overton
http://councillors.lincolnshire.gov.uk/cllrmoverton/
www.independentvoice.org.uk

Lincolnshire Sausages

2009-12-20T22:39:00.002Z

Lincolnshire Independents called for North Kesteven District Council to add their full support to the campaign to protect the identity of the Lincolnshire Sausage.

At North Kesteven District Council the following motion from Independent Councillors Marianne Overton, Leader of the Lincolnshire Independents and David Suiter was passed unanimously.

“To support the economy in North Kesteven in the current economic climate, this Council gives its full support for the campaign to grant Lincolnshire Sausages protected geographical status from the Department of the Environment Food and Rural Affairs. Protected geographical status for Lincolnshire Sausages would mean that they could only be manufactured in the historic county of Lincolnshire according to specified criteria. This would provide support for numerous small producers that are in the county and prevent inferior products from reaching the market.
This campaign is considered to be important to protect jobs in North Kesteven and in the whole county.”

Councillor Marianne Overton adds,
"As we have traditional Lincolnshire Sausages with our Christmas lunch, it is a good time to add weight to the campaign. In 2004 Lincolnshire butchers started the campaign which is about to enter the next stage of public consultation.

We need to put Lincolnshire first and support our local producers, particularly in the current economic climate. Lincolnshire sausages are distinctive and should be called that, only if they are genuinely made in Lincolnshire. That allows county producers to maximize quality and thrive by supplying good, local produce.

Cllr Marion Brighton, leader of North Kesteven was quite right when she added that the pork should also be produced in Lincolnshire."

Councillor David Suiter adds "Many jobs are involved in sausage production and related processes, Lincolnshire Sausages should be made only in Lincolnshire, these Lincolnshire jobs should be protected in the same way as Melton Mowbray Pork Pies and Stilton cheese.”

Use the box below to add your voice to the campaign.

Good News: Congratulations to...

2009-12-10T11:42:00.003Z

Relate Lincolnshire
Relate Lincolnshire has won a special family support grant from national government of £225,000 to support family counselling, healing the damage of family conflict. It is a joint bid with the County Council for a total of £475,000 brought into Lincolnshire. The significant effect of family conflict on children and their futures and the cost to our society is well researched, and indicates that this work is critical to changing people’s futures for the better.

Mrs Smith’s Cottage
Ever more popular Mrs Smith’s Cottage Museum continues to thrive after ten years, with yet more visitors than ever this year. The 30,000th visitor was welcomed with gifts.

Branston Community College
Four students won the Lincolnshire Interschool Electronics Competition with their electronics for pub quizzes. Jade Toulson, Molly Brien, James Croft and Seb Elliott

Lives: A volunteer group who save lives
The newly formed Cliff Village service with two brilliant volunteers has begun responding to emergencies. Three volunteers are in training. A huge thank you to the volunteers and to you for generous support and donations, including at the WI Christmas event (£30) and the Methodist Christmas Coffee Morning.

Congratulations to Mike & Karin Willgoose, this week celebrating 40 years at the George Hotel, Leadenham. Great birthday party!

Planning on Line is now working
Register www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/planningonline View current and past applications since 1974.